Panthers See Jump In Points, Morale

March 13, 2006|By Steve Gorten Staff Writer

Sunrise — Last week was the most pivotal in the Panthers' season, and they made the most of it by snatching seven of eight possible points.

They rallied from a third-period deficit for one point in a shootout loss at Atlanta on Monday, picked up two points for Wednesday's home win against Ottawa, then four more in a two-game home sweep of Carolina on Friday and Saturday.

"Considering the opponents we were facing, it was huge," goalie Roberto Luongo said. "Hopefully this will be a confidence booster for our team."

Team captain Olli Jokinen, whose contract extension just before the trade deadline Thursday was key for the franchise, had five goals and four assists in the four games. Linemate Jozef Stumpel had four goals and five assists last week.

Meanwhile, the team's penalty-killing units have allowed just two goals the past 33 power plays, one on nine Hurricanes power plays in the first two periods Saturday.

Saturday's game, in which the Panthers won for the first time in 21 games this season when trailing after two periods, "shows the fans we're not going to quit," center Joe Nieuwendyk said, adding that with 18 games left, "we're going to ride this thing out and see where it takes us."

The Panthers, who took Sunday off and don't plan to practice today, are nine points behind the Lightning for eighth in the East and 10 behind the Canadiens entering tonight's game between those teams in Montreal.

The Panthers will have a chance for six more points this week, with home games against the Flyers and Islanders on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, and a game Saturday at Washington, where the Panthers are 3-0 this season.

"I don't think we can get too excited yet," Nieuwendyk said. "We've beaten pretty big teams in the league. But now we have to take a couple of days and get ready for a tough Philly team coming in."

Added coach Jacques Martin: "We have to recharge, come back and play even harder against the Flyers. It's going to be a real battle."